mckinley



. McmNLEY.

D. 26,1922. A C. W

INTERNAL GEARYDRIVE AxLE.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

FILED DEC. 7. i917.

Dec. 26, 1922. 1,439,968.

C. w.-MCKINLEY. Y

INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE AXLE.

FILED DEC. 7. 1917. 4 SHEETS-sneu 2.

Dec. l.26, 1922..

c. w. MCKINLEY.

INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE AXLE.'

4 SHEETS-snm 3.

FILED DEC. 7,191?.

@Hozmm Dec. 26, 1922.

l c. w. MCKINLEY.

INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE AXLE.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

FILED DEC. 7, I9I7.

...Ewing 5mm/Mot War/es Hf Mf/fm/ey G trau Q13- Patented Dec. 26, 1922.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. MQKINLEY, 0F TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WILIYS-0VERLAND COMPANY, OE TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

INTERNAL-GEAR-DRIVE AXLE.

Application mea December 7, 1917. serial No. 205,973.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.' Be it known that I, CHARLns W. MC- Ilmnnx, a citizen yof the United States, ref

siding at Toledo, in the county of `Lucas and State of Ohio, have `invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal- Gear-Drive- Axles, of which I declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in internal gear drive axles for motor vehicles.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an internal gear drive axle having improved means for retaining lubricant in contact with the internal gears and the pinions meshing therewith.

A 'further object of this invention .is to provide an internal gear drive axle hav.n ing an improved dust guard for keeping dust and dirt out ot' the gears so as to prevent their being worn and injured by the sand and dust.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved driving axle arrangement, in which the differential casing is suspended from the axle and the drive shafts are disposed in the rear of the axle so as to drive internal gears mounted on the wheelsfjournaled on the axle.

A 'further object of this invention is to provide an improvedbrake arrangement for use in connection with internal gear drive ax les.

Further objects, and objects relating to economies ol inanirifactiufe and details of construction, will delinitely appear 'trom the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following speciiication. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims.

li structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part or' this speciiication, in which Fig. I is a horizontal, sectional view, taken through an axle embodying` my in- \.'ention, parts of the axle being broken away for convenience in illustration.

Fig. II is a sectional, elevational view ot the axle, taken substantially ou the line :iL-II of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a sectional, elevational view o1 a portion of the. axle, taken substantially on the line III- III of Figs. I and V.

Fig. IV is a `fragmentary, plan View oi? a portion of the brake band supporting mechanism.

Fig. V is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view, corresponding to Fig. I at the left hand side of said figure, and taken substantially on the line VHV ot Fig. VI.

Fig. VI is a detail, sectional view, taken substantially on the line VIMVI ot Figs. I and V.

Fig. VII is a View in front elevation ot the b ake mechanism.

Fig. VIII is a detail, sectional view, corresponding to a part of Fig. VI.

In the drawings, similar reifer-ence numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts ot the drawing, I have shown an internal gear drive mechanism comprising an Lbeam axle l0, which is arched upwardly at its central point at il. IThe flattened and enlarged portions l2 are provided near the ends of the axle to which the springs may be attached by spring shackles in the usual manner. Spindles are provided at the ends o'l' the axle couu'n'ising the outer and smaller diameter spindle portions i3. and the iuneiand' larger diameter spindle portions lli. Bearing.; 115 are mounted on the spiudie portions i3, and nuts iti are threaded on the outer ends of the spindles and rctain the bearings in position. The hubs fi? are mounted and -journaled on the bearings l5, and each of said hubsis provided with an annular spoke flange 18, as shown in Fig. V oi the drawing. Another spoke flange 19 is provided and the spokes 2l are .retained between the spo-ke flanges i8 and 19 by means oit the bolts 2O passing through both of said spoke flanges and through the spokes. The spokes 2l carry the usual .telly 22 and the tire 23. `The spoke .flange 18. is provided at its periphery with a laterally extending annular 'Haug-e 24. An internal gear is provided which is attached to said flange 2li by means of the bolts or rivets 26, said l SLE internal gearbeing provided with the gear teeth27 on its inner surface. A brc lfe drum 28 has the laterally turned yannular flange 29, the inner edge of which abuts the outer edge of the spoke flange 18, said flange 29 -being secured in .place by meansoffthe bolts 30 passing through Ythe spo-kes 21.

A hub 31 is mounted on the' spindle portion 14 and provided with arearwardlyfex tending portion 32, having an opening 33 therein, and a bearing 84 mounted in said opening. The hub 31 is provided with an annular flange .f35,on .its outer portion, to whicha disc 86 fis secured by means of the bolts 37. A flexible .piece 4238 of vfabric, or other suitable :niaterialpis securedto the -pe` .ripheryiof thedisc SGfby the ifasteningineans 39. The sleeve 114 is mounted on the spindlelportiown 13 attheplace wherelthe spindle portion 13 merges Ainto ithe' portion 14,1and said sleeve 1114 carries :alpaclnng Iring 115, which engages the @interior of the inner vend of the hub 17 ,inside ofthe Vinner bearing 15.

A disc 4() is inountedon the spindle portion 14 between the axle 10 andthe hub 31, and said disc4dcloses-the inner openend of the brake drum 28 and is provided with au 'ontwardly{tiinfned peiifipheral fiange 4:1. A bracket member 42 is securedto Athe disc 40 and to the fhub `portion 321by means ofthe bolts 44 and is `provided with an inwardly extending boss 48. A grease retaining ring 45 is -provided,having a=beveled portion 46, which fits over Jthe beveled exterior surface of the internal gea-r 425, and `also `provided with an inwardly directed annular flange 47. This ring maybe stamped out of metal and pressed on over-the exterior ofthe gear 25. Ela-nge 47 extends inwardly a substantial distance -beyond vthe inner edge of the internal gear.

The vdifferential casing 48 is disposed beneath the arched portion `11-of the axle 10,`

and suspended `therefroin by means lof' `the bolts 49,'wl1ioh pass upwardly through the differential casing -l and through the arched portion 'l1 of the axle. A drive shaft 50 is Y'ournaled in the bearinev 52 mounted in the differential casing, and passes through the stuffing box 51, `carried by saiddiff'erential casing. The drive shaft'O is connectedby the universal joint 53 with the propeller shaft 54. The `bevel pinion 55 is mounted on the end of thefdrive shaft 5() within the differential casing. The differential `casing is provided `with the laterally extending portions 56, within which are mounted the kbearings 57; The differential cage is provided with the hubs 58, whichare journaled in the bearings 57, and the `differential cage has a flange 59 to whichqthe bevel gear G0 is bolted, said gear 60 meshing with the bevel pinion 55, mounted `on the drive shaft 50.

The differential cage carries the bevel pin- -ions 61, which mesh with the bevel pinions Vthe pinion y thereon, held in place by the nut 66. The pinion 65 meshes with the internal gear teeth 27. The rear end of the differential casing is; open andclosed bythe cap 68 :held Ain place by bolts 69. l

The rearwardly extending .portion l0 lof Athebracket member 42carries a bar having a cylindrical portion 73, .mounted in the bracket portion 70, and a square portion .74, which extends `transversely ofy and' outside of the brake drum 48. The yoke 71 has itsiends secured to the bracket '70.1by means of the bolts :72, and the end tof the `bar 74 has a trunnion `75, which is ymounted iin fthe yoke 71.` A nut ionfthe end ofthe `bar 73 holds lthe same iinzplaoe in the bracket `70. A pair `offbrake,bainlsT7 embrace the brake druins 28, said brake"bandsconsisting of split rings having their :free ends ata point kdiametri.-

cally opposite the bar '74. yEach of the yohes 7S has base flanges .79 secured to the correspending brake band 77 by means of the lrivets 80..r These `yokes `are secured :to Athe respective brake bands and embrace the bar :74 clearly shown in `Figs. Vlaand VIII. A sleeve 81 extends through the itop'of eachyoke and abuts'the outer side of the bar 74, anda screw 82 isthreaded throughfthe sleeve r8.1 andthrough the bar ,74 and abuts against the outer surfaceof the brakeband 77, said screw being provided with ahead 83 by .meansof which it may be manipulated. .A spring 84 `is compressed between lthe Abar 'Z4 and the yoke 73, as isclearly shown in Fig. VIII of the drawing. A strip of .friction material `S5 jii'iprovided ou the innersurface of each brake band TY. y

The lugs 8G and 9.1 respectively are secured to the freelends of the brake band 77, l

- and the :lug 86 isprovided withitheears 86,

`between which theend of' thebentlever 87 is pivoted on vthepin S8. Lever 87 is bent into substantially anL shape, and the upperend 89 of' said lever is connected to anoperating rod90. Lugs 91 are `secured to the opposite free ends of the ybrake bands and provided with the :projecting portions 92, each of which `has an `opening 93 therethrough. 'Links 94 `have the forked portions 95, einbracinggthelever 87, and pivotally connected.

thereto by ymeans of' :the ,pin ,96; The link 94 is threaded at 9T and a pair of' nuts 9S are screwed thereon. A bracket 101 is caried by the disc 40 and secured thereto by the rivets 102,` Said bracket 101 carriesthe lil() stein 100 ot the strap 99, said stem being held in place by means of the nut 103 mounted on the end thereof. Strap 99 isprovided `with a pair of openings through which the links 94 pass, as clearly shown in `Fig. V1 of the drawing. The upper end ot each link 94 is threaded at 104 and a nut 105 is screwed thereon and has a lower beveled surface, which engages the lug 92.

A bar 108 has a portion 106 bent laterally at `right angles thereto, and secured-to the disc 40 by means of the rivets 107. `The bar 108 passes transversely above the brake bands 77 and has a loop portion 109 secured thereto. The straps 110 are each secured at one end to the brake band 77, by means o1 the rivet 112', and each of said straps passes up and away from the brake band and through between the loop 109 and the ba-r 108, andhas its free end slidably engaged in the loop 112 secured tothe brake band 77. Screws 113 are mounted in the strap 108 and engage the brake bands 77 between the straps 110.

In order to close the inner end of the hub 17 preventing the escape oi'. lubricant and the entrance of dust and dirt,-two rings 114 and 116 are provided, which tit snugly over the axle spindle and which carry a packing ring 115. This packing ring engages the inner surface of the wheel hub and the two rings 114 and 116 have a combined length to entirely lill up the'space between the bearing 15 and the hub 31, thereby taking any end thrustof the bearing.

From 't description of the parts given above, t operation of this mechanism shouldKIN very readily understood. The driving power is transmitted from the propeller shaft 54, through the universal joint 53 and drive shaft 50, to the bevel pinion 55, which drives the gear 60 on the differential cage. The differential cage has its trunnions 58 mounted in the bearings 57 carried by the differential casing, so that said diflei-ential cage may revolve as a unit in said differential casing, carrying with it the dit tei'ential pinions 61, which mesh with the pinions 62 on the ends of the drive shafts 63. This is the usual form ofrdil'erential mechamsm.

Eachdrive shaft 63 extends from the dit kferential casing 4through the boss 43 prothe central part a level such that the meshing point o1 the pinion 65 and the gear teeth 27 is always covered by lubricant. This grease retaining ring may be Very readily and conveniently V stamped out of metal and may be carried by the external surface of the gear 25 by pressing the ring in place over the gear.

I have found that it is very desirable to prevent all sand, dust and dirt getting access to the internal gears and the pinions meshingtherewith, and, in order to prevent the sand, dust and dirt 'getting in, 1 have provided the discs 36 having the flexible straps 38 at their edges, which engage the inner surfaces of `the brake drums 28. 1t will be seen that the internal gear is protected, from the outside, by the spoke iange 18, and, from the inside, by the disc 36 and the strip 38, so that the internal gear and the pinion meshing therewith is entirely enclosed within the brake dium and protected so that dust and dirt cannot get at it.

The diii'erential casing is suspended be- `neath the arched portion 11 ol.l the I-bcam axle 10 by means of the bolts 49, and the drive shaits 63 extend substantially parallel to the axle 10 and in the rear thereof. Casings 67, which surround the drive shafts, are connected, at their inner ends, to the differential casing 48 and at their outer ends, to the bosses 43, of the bracket members 42.

The brake bands are supported from the bars 74, which are carried by the bracket members 70, and the screws 82 may be adjusted through the bars 74, so as to apply pressure to the brake bands at the point where the screws contact therewith, so as to cause the brake bands to hug the brake drum more or less closely. The brakes are set by means of the operating mechanism comprising the levers 87, which are operated by the rods 90, and draw the links 94 downwardliY to draw the 'tx-ce'ends of: the brake bands, to which the lugs 92 are attached. toward the ends oit the brake bands to which the lugs 86 are attached. This mechanism serves not only to draw the ends of the brake bands, to which the lugs 91 are attached, downwardly, but the same movement also forces the opposite ends of `the brake bands upwardly. Links 94 are held in spaced relation to each other `by means of the strap 99, which is carried by the bracket 101 secured to the disc 40, which is attached to the axle.

The bar 108, whichis secured to and carried by the disc 40 carries the straps 110` which are attached to the brakey bands and serve to prevent the brake band dragging on the brake drum.

l ani aware that the vparticular embodiment of my invention, which I have here dit shown land described,l is susceptiblenf considerable variation Without `de;parting `from the .spirit thereof, and, therefore, Idesiifeto claim my invention broadly, as Well asspeciically, as indicated byftheappended claims. Having thus described ,my invention;-what l claim as nen7 and `desire to .secu-re by I.Letters Fatent, is i "1. A mechanism of the classqdescifibed, comprising .the .combination of Aan faxle; Wheels journaled on theends of said axle; an intennal gear-fixed to each of said Wheels;

.brake hubs fixed to said Wheels `andenolesing said internal gears; drive shafts fixed relative to-saidaxle; means fordrivingsaid shafts; pinionsmounted on said shafts and `meshing .with said internal gears; land a ring 4mounted onthe `outside of each of .said internal gears and provided with an annular flange extending laterally `therefrom gpast the inner edgeof said .internal gear. n

2. A mechanism of the class described, comprising the combination of ,an aXle; Wheels jour-naled `on the ,ends of said axle; an internal gear-Xed-.to each` of ,said Wheels a ring stamped .out of sheet metal, and

.pressedzon the .exteriorof each ofsaid internal gears and provided Mutha fiangeezi-v tend-l` laterally past the yinner edgeiofsaid gear; differential ymechanism supported by said axlegldrive shafts connected with said e differential 4mechanism Aand pini ons mount- .ed Von .said ,drive shafts `and cach meshing `Withcne of ,said internal gears.

3. A mechanism .of the class described, comprising the combination .of an axle, provided with a spindleatoneend rthereof; a Wheel vjournaled on said- Ispindle; a hub mountedion the 'innerend ofsaid spindle;

`an internal gear ,inounted on :said lvvheelf; ka

tending into contact with fthe Ainner surface of the drum.

e. A mechanism of the. class described, comprising the combination afan anle,'hav

ing a spindle .at one `end thereof; a l'vvheel` ljournaled onsaid spindle; ahub mounted on the yinner end of l. said :spindle ,l and vhaving a krearwardly extending portion, a bearing `mounted ein .said portion.; a brake drum 'mounted on said avheel;-a disc .mounted on said *hub ,with its yperipheryextending .substantially to the inner surfacefof said .brake drum, afiexible strip Ls curedto the peripheiiy of v said disc and .entending -into V.contact with the inner surface .of the drum;said disc being provided With anopening in line With said bearing; an internal gear mounted on said Wheel. between the wheel andsaiddisc and .Within said brake 4druni;aJ drive shaft having one end journaled in said bearing and extending through the opening in said disc; vand a pinion mounted on said .drive shaft and meshing Withsaid internal gear. 5. A mechanism of .the class described,

.comprising the combination `an axle, `havinga .Spindle a me ad thereof; a wheel j ournaled on said spindle; a `brake drum `carried `by said Wheel; .la `hubmounted on .the

innerend of said spindlefand havinga rear- Wardlyextendmg portion; a bearing mounted in said rearwardly .extending portiony'a -disc carried `by ysaid hub 1 and provided. With ,an opening in line with said bearing.; a flexible ,strip carried .by the periphery of said `dise substantially .ncontact .with the inner surface of said brake drum; .an inter nal gear mountedgonsaid vvheelyvithin .the brake drum and between said disc and `said Wheel; a `drive shaft having one ,end journaled in` said i bearing ,andxtendging through .the ,opening inY said disc; and' a pinion .mounted on the inner end offsaid. drive shaft 7and meshing with said internalgear.

6. A mechanism of .the class described,

comprising `the combination of anaXle, prof4 .vided ivitha spindle at .one end. thereof; .af

Wheel journaled on saidispindle;.abrake drum mounted on said Wheel; a `hub Vmounted on the inner endof said spindleand' pron vided with a ,rearwardly extend' i g portion; a bearing mounted in said .pof n; a :disc .mountedon said huband pi'ovic Withkan opening in line .ivithsaid bearing; a'fiexible strip i carried by .the periphery of said ldisc and contacting. with" the inner surface "of `said brake di'uni; an `internal gear mounted Qn said;y Wheel `betiveensaid :disc andsaid wheel.; a drive shaftihaving oneend joui'- nailed in said bearingand extend-ing through the opening `iiilsaid disc; a pinion `nfioiinted Aou said .drive .shaft .and meshing ,with

`internal gear; and a grease retaining- 'ring mounted on lthe `exterior .of said linternal gear `.and provided .ivith .anannular {iange extending laterallyy therefrom, past `the n meshing .point of said pinion and said gear.

7. AA mechanism `of .the ,class described, comprising the 4combination of anfaxldprouided Witha ,spindle abone endthereof; a 4Wheel journaled `4on saidA spindle; a brake `drum mounted on said Wheel; k,a hub mounted onuthe inner end ofsaid spindleand provided ivith .arearwardly .extending portion Aa bearing mounted ingfsaid portioma disc .carried bysaid hub, a .iiexiblestrlp secured f yto `the periphery of .Said discwhich extends `into .contact with "the'inner `surface of l.the

wheel; a drive shaft having one .end jour l no drum; an internal gear .mounted on said ies naled in said bearing; and a pinion on said drive shaft meshing with said internal gear.

S. A mechanism of the class described7 comprising the combination of an axle, having a spindle at one end thereof; a wheel journaled on said spindle; a bralre drum mounted on said wheel; a hub mounted on the inner end of said spindle and provided with a rearwardly extending portion; a bearing mounted in said portion; an internal gear mounted on said wheel within said brake drum; a grease retaining ring mounted upon the exterior portion of said internal gear; and provided with an annular flange overlying the free edge thereof; a drive shaft journaled at one end in said bearing; a pinion mounted on said. drive shaft and meshing with said internal gear; and a disc mounted on said spindle between the axle and said hub and closing the inner end of said brake drum.

9. A mechanism of the class described7 comprising the combination of an'axle; having a spindle at one end thereof; a wheel hub ournaled on said spindle and provided with an annular spoke hangs; a `wheel mounted on said wheel hub; a hub mounted on the inner endv of said spindle; an internal gear mounted on the periphery of said spoke iiange; a brake drum mounted on said wheel around said internal gear; a disc mounted on said hub7 a flexible strip secured to the periphery of said ldisc and extending into contact with the inner surface of the drum, said internal gear being disposed between said disc and said spoke flange; a drive shaft extending through `said disc; and a pinion mounted on said drive shaft and meshing with said internal gear.

10. In a vehicle structure having drive shafts for the wheels thereof, a gear casing connecting said shafts and having a portion extending forwardly thereof; an axle lying in front of said drive shaft, said axle being offset at a point adjacent said forwardly extending portion of the gear casing, and means for securing said gear casing and said axle together.

11.1n a vehicle structure having two aligning drive shafts and a third shaft at right angles thereto, a gear easing connecting the ends of said shafts,` said gear casin having an extension surrounding said third shaft, an axle lying parallel to said first two shafts and having an oifset portion adjacent said extension, and means passing through the walls of said casing and said axle for securing said parts together.

12. In a vehicle structure, the combination of a wheel including the hub; an axle having a spindle extending through the hub, a bearing for the spindle mounted within the hub, a removable member upon the spindle spaced from the hub, a pair of rings interposed between the bearing and said removable member, and flexible material carried byl said,- rings and serving to close the inner end of the hub. y

13. In a vehicle structure, the combination of a wheel including a hub, an axle having a spindle provided with a reduced portion extending through the hub; a bearing for said reduced portion of the spindle mounted within the hub, a packing ring surrounding the reduced portion of the spindle and extending inwardly to engage the spindle beyond the pointwhere the same is reduced and means serving to retain the packing ring within the hub.

14. in a vehicle, the combination of a wheel including a hub; `an axle having a spindle extending through the hub; a bearing for the axle mounted within the hub,a removable member mounted upon the spindle lexteriorly of the hub and a two-part packing supporting ring interposed between said bearing and said removable member serving to close the end of the hub and forming a thrust member between the bearing and said removable member.

15. In a vehicle structure, the combination of a wheel and axle, an internal gear drive ring secured upon the wheel9 a drive shaft provided with a pinion meshing with the teethof said internal gear drive ring and a grease retaining ring disposed upon the outer periphery of the internal gear drive ring and provided with an inwardly directed grease' retainin portion.

In testimony whereo I affix my signature.

CHARLES W. MOKIN LEY. 

